On Jul 12, 2018, stevefaulkner wrote:
Hi Oscar,
I agree. For me, the most important thing is to begin to feel comfortable performing professionally to calm those nerves. The best way being doing as much as possible. When I become pro, this really helped me to find my own style and boost my confidence. Though I had worked the street, close-up scared the heck out of me when I started out, it just felt like a very different thing. I now find it way easier to perform in a professional setting as opposed to friends and colleaugues. Good luck with it and I look forward to seeing how you get on.

On Jul 12, 2018, WitchDocChris wrote:
I tell everyone I know who wants to move towards being a professional to read The Approach by Jamie D Grant. It's a workbook describing how to become a paid, strolling magician. It's geared towards the part-time professional who wants to perform on the weekends or just regular paid gigs, but still has a "day job". However, if you follow his advice and get regular gigs, you will be established and able to save up money if you decide to take the leap to full time performer.

At that point I would also recommend marketing and business courses. I'll just assume you are a good enough performer - but the best show in the world is going to flounder if the guy doing it can't sell the act. And you have to learn how to manage money in case there's times when you're not pulling in the gigs as much as you'd like. And don't forget retirement. It's a fun job, but I certainly don't want to be working until I die.

On Jul 12, 2018, Oscar.Abraham wrote:
Hey guys,

I'm not new to magic, I've been performing as an amateur for 10 years now, with playing cards and few other props -- no coins, sadly, but eventually I will. So after all the money and time invested in magic, I've decided to get myself started as a professional magician, but I'm feeling nervous about it. Fortunately, I am acquainted with many professional magicians who have given me their advise; many of them would agree that the best way to start, due to having so few props in my repertoire, would be in restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and smaller places where I can table hop. I thought that was good advise. What do you guys think?

On Jul 12, 2018, stevefaulkner wrote:
The one thing that I am not use to, however, is to approach people and offer my magic; I've always been asked to perform for my audience, so I'm not use to walk around offering to perform for people, especially if I see their having a private conversation, drink or eating. So that would be my first challenge.